Efficient Reading: Monthly Digest of the Top Content Submitted to the Energy Efficiency Group in Energy Central- September 10, 2020

We’re quickly reaching the Fall season (though it would be hard to recognize that with the snow in Colorado or the red fire-tinged skies on the West Coast), meaning we’re approaching the shift from AC season to heating season, a critical time period for the world of energy efficiency. Finding ways to ensure utility customers are managing their energy loads responsibly continues to be a top programmatic focus from power providers, and as demand grows and the importance of decarbonization of energy systems becomes even more evident, energy efficiency will undoubtedly play a critical role.

So what were some of the hottest energy efficiency stories of the past four weeks? Keep reading to find out.  

Matt Chester

Community Manager

Four Ways Californians Can Help Avoid Rolling Blackouts

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/four-ways-californians-can-help-avoid-rolling-blackouts

The unmissable power sector story of the past month was undoubtedly the unfortunate situation that was unfolding in California where heat waves and excess demand and shortcomings from the generation side led to rolling blackouts. While there remains lots of discussion to be had about what exactly happened and is happened and how to best address it, Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council highlights some of the simple efficiency tricks utilities can share with their customers that can dampen (but not alone solve, of course) the demand side of the equation.

Absolute Combusion – Environmentally Friendly & Efficient High-Performance Combustion Burners with Koleya Karringten | Crownsmen Partners Podcast

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/ce-8-absolute-combustion-environmentally-friendly-efficient-high-performance

Another angle in the world of energy efficiency to tackle is on the opposite end of the consumer, and that comes to the efficiency of generation. No matter the fuel type, the energy content that gets burned to spin a turbine and generate power is an inherently inefficient process with lots of energy lost in the process. So an important consideration is not just in the efficient use of electricity, but also the efficient generation of electricity. This podcast from Jerrod Downey, the CEO and Host of Crowsnmen Partners, dives into that topic with the CEO of Absolute Combustion, Koleya Karringten.

A Guide to Surprising Trends in Energy Efficiency Programs

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/o/franklin-energy/guide-surprising-trends-energy-efficiency-programs

Going back to the question of how efficiently customers end up using power, a key decider of that is inherently the efficiency programs that utilities employ (or ignore). In this article from Danielle Marquis of AM Conservation Group & Franklin Energy, we learn about some of the trends in energy efficiency programs that demonstrate what works, what doesn’t move the needle as much, and where utilities should spend their time and efforts.

Set-top box agreement has produced powerful energy savings

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/set-top-box-agreement-has-produced-powerful-energy-savings

Lastly, I thought it appropriate to end on the note of a surprising example of where minor efficiency improvements can create great aggregate results. Peter Key highlights in this investigation how the set-top boxes given to customers from cable providers have harnessed energy efficiency and created eye-popping results. Utilizing simply voluntary measures to move forward efficiency minded equipment, 55.1 TWh of power has been saved—the equivalent of California home electricity use over 7 months. Little changes sure do add up!

That’s a wrap for this edition of ‘Efficient Reading.’ Know that if you submit a great post on energy efficiency in the next four weeks, you very well may be featured in this spot for the next issue! And if you want to make sure your favorite piece doesn’t get overlooked in this monthly digest, be sure to let me know in the comments what your favorite articles were.